Block-resurfacing mechanism



R. C. SIMMONS.

BLOCK RESURFACING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION F-ILED NOV. I]. 1916.

1,341,765. Patented June 1, 1920. i

R. c. SIMMONS.

mocrg RESURFACING MECHANISM. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 17. I9I6.

'1 41,765, Patented June 1, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- Fig: 3.

UNITED STATES PATENT orrics,"

RALPH C. SIMMONS, 0F BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS, AS-SIGNOR, BY MESN'E ASSIGN- MENTS, TO UNITED SHOE MACHINERY CORPORATION, OF PATERSON, NEW JERSEY,

A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY,

BLOCK-RESURFACING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented June 1, 1920.

Application filed'November 17, 1916; Serial No. 131,933.

To aZZ'w/wm it may concern Be it knownthat I, RALPH 0. Simmons, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bev- I erly, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Block-Resurfacing Mechanisms, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying draw- I ings, is a specificatiomlike reference characters on the drawings indicating like parts in the several figures. V

This invention relates to machines, for cutting sheet material, and particularly to mechanism for use in resurfacing the cutting blocks of such machines. The invention is herein shown inuits application to a machine for dieing but relatively thin, sheet material such as upper stock for use in the manufacture of boots and shoes, the illustrative type of machine being known as the clickingmachine of which an example is shown and described in United States LettersPatent No. 921,503, granted on May 11, 1909 upon the application of Arthur Bat-es. It will be apparent, however, from thefollowing description that the utility of the invention is not restricted to machines of this particular type, and that the invention in its broader aspects is applicable to cutting machines of various types such, for we ample, as machines for dieing out soles.

In machines which perform the cutting operation by means of a die, orthe like, and a coijperating cutting block, itis important for the best results that the block, when made of wood or of material having similar characteristics, be resurfaced frequently in order to present a comparatively smooth and I even surface to the cutting edge of the die.

If this is not done'it is often impossible to sever a blank completely'at a single operation of the machine, and the blanks, moreover, are likely to be left with ragged edges. In the clicking machine it .is particularly important to keep the block properly surfaced in order to avoid the danger of springing out of shape the comparatively light dies that are used with this machine. 7

It has been the usual practice to resurface cutting blocks by the use'of a hand operated tool while the block remains in place on the a chine, thus avoiding the difficulty and loss of time involved in removing the block and planing it in a special machine as well as the expense of providing and maintaining such a planmg machine. By reason, however, of the hard and resistant characterof the materialin cutting blocks, such a hand 'power; but such mechanism as heretofore proposed has been open to various :objections, arising principally from diiiiculty in manipulation of the mechanism or inconvenience in the use of special driving connections, and consequently has not been entirely satisfactory for the purpose in view.

It is an important object of this invention to provide block resurfacing means of sim ple construction which may be readily applied to a machine in positionfor use and effectively operated to form a smooth and regular surface upon the block. To this end, a featureofthe invention consists in aconstruction and arrangement of resurfacing means such as to cause said means to receive an operative movement in consequence of relative movement of the block and the coas perating presser member in the direction to effect a cutting operation, the resurfacing means, in the construction shown, comprising a tool opera-tivel-y movable in a direction transverse to the direct on of such relativemovement of theblock and the presser member. In the application of the invention to the clicking machine the usual relative lateral movement of the presser member and the block are utilized to cause the resurfacing means to assume an operative relation to different portions of the surface of the block in successiomand for this purpose the resurfacing means 1s convemently mounted on the lOQ presser member. In the usual construction,

into operative relation to a portion of the block that requires resurfacing and the other to cause the tool to cut the block.

A further feature of the invention consists in novel means for regulating the depth of the cut of the resurfacing tool. This feature includes the provision of means for making preliminarily a relatively narrow cut to the required depth across the block, this out being utilized to determine the depth of the cut of the resurfacing tool in its operation upon different portions of the block.

These and other features of the invention including certain details of construction and combinations of parts, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims.

' In the drawings,

Figure l is a plan view showing a portion of a clicking machine and illustrating the application to such machine of mechanism constructed in accordance with this invention Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 1, the cutting block being shown in vertical section,

Fig. 3 shows on an enlarged scale a portion of the mechanism from the same point of view as Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is a view in vertical section on the line 44 of Figs. 1 and 2, showing the presser member and the resurfacing means attached thereto,

Fig. 5 is a vertical section through the means for forming the preliminary cut in the block,

Fig. 6 is a vertical section through the means-whereby the depth of the cut of the resurfacing tool is determined by reference to the cut formed by the device shown in Fig. 5, V

Fig. 7 illustrates the construction of an alternative form of resurfacing tool, and

Fig. 8 is a vertical section similar to Fig. 6, showing the form of tool illustrated in F i 7.

The clicking machine shown includes the usual presser member or arm 2 which is secured to the vertical post 4 at the rear of the cutting block or bed 6, the post being mounted for turning movement to permit the presser member to swing to different positions over the block corresponding to different locations of the die upon the stock and for reciprocating movement vertically to cause the presser member to engage the die and effect the cutting operation. It will be understood that the operative vertical movement of the presser member takes place upon the actuation of the usual clutch through connections extending from the starting handle 8, this handle being utilized also for the purpose of swinging the presser member over the block.

In the construction shown the block resurfacing mechanism is constructed for attachment to the presser member 2. To this end the mechanism comprises two castings 10 and 12 provided respectively with portions shaped to underlie and engage the lower surface of the member 2 adjacent to the sides of the member and also with means for fixing their relation to the side edges of the member. Set screws 14 in the casting 10 engage the upper surface of the member 2 to hold the casting in place, and threaded in the casting also are tie rods 16 which serve to clamp the casting 12 against the opposite side of the member 2 as well as to insure against lateral displacement of the casting 10 on the member.

Pivoted on the casting 10 in recesses formed in the side of the casting are a series of links 18 on the lower ends of which is-v hung a cutting tool 20 having teeth 22 that project forwardly or in the direction of the front end of the presser member 2. A

spring 24 connected at one end to a lug 26, on the casting 10 and at its other end to a,

.. vary the tension of the spring 24, and an adjustable stop 34 in the bracket 30 serves by engagement with the front end of' the: casting 10 to determine the normal position of the tool 20 when the presser member 2' is in its uppermost position. It will be understood that when the member 2 is in its up.- permost position the teeth 22 will be above the surface of the block, and it will nowbeapparent that when an operative downward movement is imparted to the presser mem-' her the teeth 22 will be forced downwardly into the surface of the block and the tool 20 will also be moved forwardly by the swing ing of the links 18 to cause the teeth to cut across the surface of the block. 'Illhe time in the downward movement of tie engage the block and consequently the extent of forward movement oflthe tool 20 may be varied by adjustment of the stop 34'.v

In order to regulate the depth of the cut of the tool 20 on all portions of the block so; as to form a surface extending'evenl'y across: the block, means is provided for cutting preliminarily a groove across the upper surface of the block which shall serve as a guide to determine the depth of cut of the tool. This means comprises a cutting tool 36 supported in aholder 38 on the casting 12, the tool being pivoted at 10 in a cylindrical support 42 which is arranged for vertical adjustment in the holder 38 by means of a screw 44. A key screw 46 projecting within a vertical guideway in the support member 2 when the teeth 22 firstv '42 prevents the support from turning and positions the supportwith the cutting tooth of the tool 36 directly laterally so as to render the tool effective to cut the surface of the block as the presser member is swung in one direction over the block, this direction being toward the left as the parts are viewed in Fig. 1. A spring 48 serves to position the tool normally with reference to swinging movement about its axis 40 to cause the cutting tooth to project effectively toward the block in the operative movement of the tool, while permitting the tool to yield against any resistance which it may encounter when thepresser member is swung in the reverse direction. The holder 38 is split vertically at one side and may be contracted by means of a thumb screw 50 for the purpose of holding the support 42 more securely in adjusted position. i

In the use of the groove cutting tool the support 42 is adjusted by means of the thumb screw 44 to bring the tool into position to engage the block and the arm 20 is then swung from side to side over the block to form the groove 52, the holder 42 being lowered as required to cause the tool to cut the desired depth. After the groove has been cut the tool is retracted within'the holder 38 to prevent its engagement-with the block during the operation of the resurfacing tool 20.

The groove 52 is utilized to determine the depth of the cut of the tool 20 through the provision of a stop 54 which is carried by this tool. This stop comprises a thumb screw threaded vertically in the tool 20 and adjustable to position its lower end in the required relation to the plane of the cutting edges of the teeth 22, the teeth being broken away sufficiently to admit'the stop. A retaining member '56 is arranged to engage the side of the stop member 54 and to be tightened by means of a thumb nut 58 to hold the stop in adjusted position. It will be apparent that when the teeth 22 have cut away any portion of the block sufficiently to cause the end of the stop 54 to engage the bottom of the groove 52 the teeth will not be permitted to cut any deeper into the block but will slide idly over the surface already formed. Preferably the stop will be positioned with its lower end surface in the plane of the cutting edges of the teeth 22. All portions of the surface formed by the tool 20 will thus lie in a plane coincident with the plane of the bottom of the groove 52. It will be understood that the width of the groove 52 cut by the tool 36 is such as to accommodate the lateral movement of the stop 54 in the operation of the tool 20, and that the stop has the same radius of movement asthe tool 36 so that the stop is positioned over the groove in any position of the presser member.

When a block requires resurfacing the mechanism is clamped in position on the presser member 2 in the manner explained, and the cutting tool 36 and the presser mem-v her are manipulated in the manner pointed out to form a groove 52 in the block, the presser member being swung from side to side for this purpose by the use of the handle S or by means of a handle 60 on the front end of the casting 12. The tool 36 is then withdrawn from its operative position, and the presser member 2 being positioned over any portion of the block the clutch is actuated as usual in effecting a dieing-out operation by depression of the starting handle 8. By the resulting down ward movement of the presser member 2 the teeth 22- are caused to engage the surface of the block and to cut across the surface in consequence of the forward movement of the tool 20. As the presser member returns to its starting positioii the tool 20 is retracted by means of the spring 24. The operation may then be repeated, if such repetition is necessary in order to cut the block to the depth determined by engagement of the stop 54 with the bottom of the groove 52. The V V v presser member will then be swung slightly to position the tool 20 over an adjacent portion of the block which will next be operated upon in the same manner. All portions of the block having finally been resurfaced in this way, the resurfacing mechanism will be removed from the presser member.

In place of the tool 20 a tool 62 constructed as shown in Figs. 7 and S may be used this tool comprising a plate secured detachably to a carrier 63 which is hung in the same manner as the tool-20 on the links 18, the plate having laterally directed cutting teeth 64 projecting also somewhat below the lower plane face of the plate,v In the use of the tool 62 the stop 34 will preferably be so adjusted as to permit the teeth 64 to project normally as low as the plane of the cutting surface which it is desired to form, thus permitting the stop 54, the end of which will preferably lie in the plane of the lower corners or edges of the teeth 64, to rest continuously upon the surface at the bottom of the groove '52. In beginning the block resurfacing operation with this form of tool having teeth projecting on the side indicated, the presser member 2 will be positioned to cause the tool to engage the block first at the left hand rear corner, and. if

necessary this end of the groove 52 may be member to a lateral pull to cause the teeth 64 to engage effectively the edge of the unresurfaced portion of the block. It will be apparent that the engagement of the stop 54 with the block will prevent downward movement of the tool while causing the tool to move endwise similarly to the tool 20 hereinbefore described. By operating the presser member repeatedly in this manner the block may be resurfaced progressively from one side to the other, the tool 62 advancing continually over the portion already resurfaced.

Having described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a presser member and a cutting block relatively movable from and toward each other in a direction to perform a cutting operation, of means arranged to be operated by the presser member and the block during such relative movement and to be moved in a direction transverse to the direction of said movement for resurfacing the block.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a presser member and a cutting block relatively movable from and toward each other in a direction to perform a cutting operation, of a block resurfacing tool. mounted on the presser member, and means for causing said tool to move in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the working face of the block .upon a relative cutting movement of said member and block in the first-mentioned direction.

3. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a presser member and a cutting block relatively movable from and toward each other in a direction to form a cutting operation, of a block resurfacing tool, and connections between said tool and the presser member constructed and arranged to cause the tool to move in a direction crosswise of the block upon a relative cutting movement of the member and the block in the firstmentioned direction.

4. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a presser member and a cutting block relatively movable from and toward each other in a direction to perform a cutting operation, of a block resurfacing tool, and connections between said tool and the presser member constructed and arranged to cause the tool to be moved in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the working face of the block by engagement of the tool with the block in a relative cutting movement of the tool and the block in the first-mentioned direction.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a presser member and a cutting block relatively movable in a direction to perform a cutting'operation, of a block resurfacing tool, and connections between said tool and the presser member comprising links arranged with reference to the direction of said relative movement of the presser member and the block to cause the tool to be moved by engagement with the block in a direction transverse to said direction of relative movement.

6. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a presser member and a cutting block relatively movable in a direction to perform a cutting operation, of a block resurfacing tool, connections comprising links between said tool and the presser member, and means for positioning said tool with the links inclined to the plane of the working face of the cutting block to cause the links to swing and operate the tool in the relative movement of the presser member and the block.

7. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a presser member and a cutting block relatively movable in a direction to perform a cutting operation, of a block resurfacing tool, connections comprising links between said tool and the presser member, and a stop for positioning the tool with the links inclined to the plane of the working face of the cutting block to "cause the links to swing and operate the tool upon engagement of the tool with the block, said stop being adjustable to vary the length of the working stroke of the tool.

S. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a presser member and a cutting block relatively movable in a direction to perform a cutting operation, of a block resurfacing tool, connections between said tool and the presser member construct ed and arranged to cause the tool to be moved in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the working face of the block by engagement of the tool with the block in a relative cutting movement of the tool and the block, a stop for determining the starting position of the tool, and a spring for positioning the tool normally at the limit de; termined by said stop.

9. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a presser member and a cutting block relatively movable in a direc tion to perform a cutting operation, of a block resurfacing tool mounted on the presser member for reciprocatorymovement in directions transverse to said direction of relative movement of the presser member and the block, said tool having a series of forwardly projecting cutting teeth, and, means for positioning the tool normally at its limit of rearward movement.

10. In a machineof the class described, the combination with a presser member and a cutting block relatively movable from and toward each other in a direction to perform a cutting operation, of a block resurfacing tool movable into operative relation to different portions of the block, and means for operating said tool by said relative movement of the presser member and the block.

11. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a. presser member and a cutting block relatively movable laterally into different operative relations to each other-and also toward each other in a direction -to perform a cutting operation, of a block resurfacing tool arranged to assume an operative relation to different portions of the block successively through said relative lateral movement of the presser mem her and the block, said tool having an operative movement crosswise of the block, and means for operating the tool through the relative cutting movement of the presser member and the block in the direction mentioned. y

12.- In a machine of the class described, the combination with a cutting block and a presser member constructed and arranged for movement laterally over the block and also toward the block, of block resurfacing means carried by the presser member, and means for moving the presser member toward the block and simultaneously causing the operation of the resurfacing means in the movement of the presser member toward the block.

13. In a machine of the class described,the

combination with a cutting block and a presser member mounted for swinging movement over the block and also for movement toward the block, of a block resurfacing tool carried by the presser member, the connections between the tool and said member being constructed and arranged to cause the tool to be moved lengthwise of the presser member in engagement with the block when the presser member moves toward the block.

14. In a machine of the class described, the

combination with a cutting block and a presser member mounted for swinging movement over the block and also for movement toward the block, of a block resurfacing tool carried by the presser member, said tool having a series of teeth extending lengthwise of the presser member, and means for causing the tool to move lengthwise of said member in engagement with the block when the presser member moves toward the block.

'15. In a machine of the class described,the combination with a cutting block and a presser member movable to different positions over the block and also toward the block, of means arranged to be operated by said member in its movement toward the block for resurfacing any desired portion of the cutting surface of the'block.

16. In a machine of the class described, the

55 "combination with a cutti g block and a movement of the presser member and the to be detachably mounted on said presser member, said means comprising a cutting tool and connections constructed and arranged to impart an operating movement to said tool upon movement of the presser member toward the block.

17 In a machine of the class described,the combination with a presser member and a cutting block relatively movable in a direction to perform a cutting operation, of means arranged to be operated by such relative 8O block for resurfacing different portions of the block in succession, and means controlled by the block for gaging and controlling the depth of the cut of said resurfacing means to renderthe surface uniform over all por- *tions of the block.

18. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a cutting block and a presser member mounted for swinging movement over the block, of a tool connected to said member for resurfacing the block, and means also connected to said member for forming preliminarily a guiding surface on the block to determine the depth of the cut of said tool. V

19. In a machine of the class described, the combination with -a cutting block and a presser member mounted for swinging movement over the block, of a tool connected to saidmember for resurfacing different portions of the block in succession, and means movable with the tool for forming preliminarily a guiding surface extending across the block for regulating the depth of the cut of said tool.

20. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a cutting block and a presser member mounted for swinging movement over the block, of a tool connected to said member for resurfacing the block, means also connected to said member for forming preliminarily a guiding surface on the block, and means movable with the tool in engagement with said surface to limit the depth of the cut of the tool.

21. In a machine of theclass described, the combination with a cutting block and a presser member mounted for swinging movement over the block, of a tool connected to said member for resurfacing different portions of the block in succession, means movable with the tool for forming preliminarily a guiding surface extending across the block, and a stop carried by the tool for engaging said surface to regulate the depth of the cut of'said tool. y

22. In a machine of the class described,the combination with a presser member and a cutting block relatively movable laterally into different p r t ve relations to each 139 other and relatively movable also in a direction to perform a cutting operation, of means operative through said last-named relative movement of the presser member and the block for resurfacing. the block, means operative through the relative lateral movement of said member and block to form a guiding surface on the block for determining the depth of the cut of said resurfacing means and means acting in cooperation with said guiding surface to control the resurfacing means.

23. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a presser member and a cutting block relatively movable laterally into different operative relations to each other, of a block resurfacing tool movable with the presser member, and a tool mounted on the presser member for cutting a groove in the block during said relative movement of the presser member and the block to serve as a guide for determining the depth of the cut of block resurfacing means on different portions of the block.

24. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a cutting block and a presser member movable laterally over the block, of a block resurfacing tool movable with the presser member, and a tool carried by the presser member for cut-ting a groove in the block during said movement of the presser member to serve as a guide for determining the depth of the cut of block resurfacing means on different portions of the block, said tool being adjustable into or out of position to engage the block.

25. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a cutting block and a presser member movable laterally over the block and also toward the block, of a tool carried by said presser member and operative in the movement of said member toward the block to resurface the block, means carried by the presser member and operative in the lateral movement of said member to form a groove extending across the block, and means carried by the tool for engaging the block in said groove to limit the depth of the cut of the tool.

26. In a machine of the class described, the combination-with a cutting block and a presser member movable toward the block, of a tool arranged to be operated by the presser member during the movement of the presser member toward the block for resurfacing the block, means for forming preliminarily a groove in the block, and means carried by the tool for engaging'the block in said groove to limit the depth of the cut of the tool.

27. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a cutting block and a presser member movable toward the block, of a tool arranged to be operated by the presser member for resurfacing the, block,

her and the block for causing the tool to the tool comprising a series of cutting teeth, means for forming preliminarily a groove in the block, and a stop carried by the tool and arranged to present a surface substantially in the plane of the cutting edges of said teeth for engagement with the block in said groove to limit the depth of the cut of the tool.

28. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a cutting block and a presser member relatively movable in a direction to perform a cutting operation, of a block resurfacing tool, means operated by said relative movement of the presser memmove in engagement with the block in a direction crosswise of the block, and means arranged to contact with the block for limiting the depth of the cut of the tool without preventing the movement of the tool crosswise of the block.

29. In a machine of the class described,

I the combination with a cutting block and a presser member relatively movable in a direction to perform a cutting operation, of a block resurfacing tool mounted on the presser member, means operative during a relative cutting movement of said block and presser member to cause the tool to move in a direction transverse to the direction of said relative movement, means connected to the presser member for forming preliminarily a guide groove in the block, and means carried by the tool for engaging the block in said groove to limit the depth of cut of the tool without preventing the movement of the tool in said transverse direction.

30. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a cutting block and a presser member relatively movable with respect to each other, and power means operating to cause such relative movement, of resurfacing means arranged to operate automatically on said block upon actuation of said power means to cause such relative movement for resurfacing any desired portion of the cutting surface of the blockat the will of the operator.

31. In a machine of the class deseribed, the combination with a cutting block and a presser member relatively movable with respect to each other, and power means for causing such relative movement, of means under the control of the operator for resurfacing any desired. portion of the block au- 0 tomatically actuated during said relative movement of the cutting block and presser member. V

32. In a machine of the class described, a cutting block, a pressermember relatively movable with respect to the block, means arranged to be located in different positions across the surface of the block for resurfacing the whole or any desired portion of the cutting surface of the block, and

power means for causing simultaneously movement of the presser member and actuation of the resurfacing means.

In a machine of the class described, a

cutting block, a presser member relatively movable with respect of the block, means movable laterally with respect to the block for resurfacing the whole or any desired portion of the cutting surface of the block, power means for moving the presser member during the resurfacing operation, and automatically operated means for causing the operation of the resurfacing means.

34. In a machine of the class described, a cutting block, a .presser member relatively movable with respect to the block, means mounted for movement laterally of the block for resurfacing the Whole or any desired portion of the cutting surface of the block, and a single shaft in the machine upon rotation of which the presser member and the resurfacing means are simultaneously actuated.

85. In a machine of the class described, a cutting block, a presser member, power means for moving the presser member With respect to the block, means movable laterally with respect to the block for resurfacing the whole or any desired portion of the cutting surface of the block, means for controlling the movement of the resurfacing means with respect to the presser member, and means for automatically causing the operation of the resurfacing means during movement of the presser member by said power means.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

RALPH C. SIMMONS. 

